RABAUL

RABAUL

Rabaul, the capital of East New Britain province, was built up from a mangrove swamp by the Germans, called Simpsonhafen at the time, who introduced coconut plantations as a major cash crop and export. It came under British Empire rule in 1919, when it became the capital of the Australian Mandated Territory of New Guinea until 1937, when it was first destroyed by the nearby volcano, Mt Tavurvur.In 1942 it fell into Japanese hands, becoming the main base of the Japanese Imperial Navy in the South Pacific theatre until 1945. Despite the town of Rabaul being destroyed in 1994 by a volcanic eruption, there are very interesting underground bunkers and tunnels to be visited. As a result of the volcanic explosion, 80% of the buildings in Rabaul collapsed under the weight of the ash, and the provincial capital was moved 20 kilometres away to Kokopo. Kokopo is now a busy, clean town, with a lovely, lively market. Kokopo is the most civilised small town in the country for foreign visitors, and an easy way to start your PNG journey.